GIANTS REPORT -- Watson, Gardner Making Progress

Nancy Gay

Published
4:00 am PDT, Tuesday, July 16, 1996

1996-07-16 04:00:00 PDT Denver -- More good news has surfaced concerning the recovery of pitchers Allen Watson (strained ligament, left elbow) and Mark Gardner (appendectomy), both of whom are on the 15-day disabled list but appear ready to return.

Watson, the Giants' only left- handed starter, made a rehab start last night at Class-A San Jose. It was his first start since pitching for the big-league Giants July 1. Limited to 40 pitches, Watson threw 39 in 2 1/3 innings against Stockton, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks while striking out five. He felt no discomfort and will be re-examined today. Although Watson is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow, he'll make another rehab start Thursday at San Jose.

Gardner, who underwent an emergency laproscopic appendectomy July 5, will get a rehab start tomorrow at San Jose.

BONDS APOLOGIZES: After being criticized for making an an off-color joke during an interview at the All-Star game, Bonds has sent a letter of apology to the Anti-Defamation League. The letter comes in the wake of Bonds' response to a reporter's question on whether he had bet with other players during the Home Run Derby. "My agent is Jewish. They call me a Black Jew. I guess I'm part Jewish because I don't spend a lot of money or make a lot of bets."

ROCKIES SET RECORD: With their seven-run third inning -- which broke the Giants' 23-inning scoreless streak -- the Rockies continue to establish a National League record for consecutive home games with at least seven runs scored. The mark now stands at 11, well beyond the old mark of seven set by the 1911 Pittsburgh Pirates and matched by the '76 Reds. The 11- game streak ties the major-league record set by the '38 Yankees.